Digital Etiquette

Are students aware of others when they use technology?

To some extent I think yes. When students are communicating with other students, they are aware of others. While cyber bullying does represent a tragic occurrence in our culture, it certainly shows us that students are aware of others when using technology, even if it is negative. Awareness is a key ingredient in online harassment and bullying.

I also think no, in a sense, that students are not necessarily aware of other's feelings and emotions. I think that students can do or say things online and be totally self absorbed and not really think about how it may affect or be perceived by others. However, this is no excuse. Students need to be empathetic to the potential readers of that content, and adjust the message or delivery to avoid unwanted negative attention being drawn to it.

Do students realize how their use of technology affects others?

Again, most of the time no. There are certainly instances where there is intention to affect others, however, I think that the majority of online activity is self centered. Due to this self-absorbed attitude that most adolescents (and adults too for that matter) demonstrate, most content is posted without any thought to how it may affect others. This is an issue offline as well, and needs to be addressed as a universal life lesson, as well as a digital one.